- Writing Tips -
- Writing Tips -
We would like to thank the people from ACTION for this great idea of listing tips. I did take almost all of the below information from their page, made changes where needed to fit our campaign. But really they work for any campaign that you may be interested. Please stop by and see what you can do to help their campaign out!
1) Be brief. No more than a page per letter.
2) Snail mail it! Snail mail letters carry far more weight than emails - they show you took time and are less anonymous.
3) Send decorated postcards and Christmas cards! Turn this into a fun project. Handwritten letters are even better than typed ones. Thanks to Bast for this wonderful suggestion!
But emails are better than no letters! So do what you have time for. Check out the email address page for addy's.
4) Be polite and positive. A letter to Sci-Fi/UPS/Paramount like "You boneheads! What the hell were you thinking??!!" won't win anyone over, so what's the point? Please consider that TPTB/Actors/Producers are probably trying to maintain working relationships with Paramount/UPN/Sci-Fi, and we're not helping if our letters leave a sour taste in their mouths. So, grit your teeth and save the venting for the media and private mailing lists.
5) Appeal to dollar signs. Sure, it's a fun, interesting and intelligent show. But the bottom line for any business is money. The ratings were low so accentuate the positive. Flatter them - let them know you believe the show will prosper in the right hands.
6) Think demographics, again appealing to the dollar signs. You might emphasize your purchasing power by letting them know your occupation. Let them know you have friends and family who watch the show. If you own a Nielson box or are a stockholder in the network, say that.
If you're male and between 18-49, say so. If you're female and have a boyfriend or are married, have your husband to write a letter. Or write another for him (and any other male friends) and get him to sign it. It's sexist, but for some reason, networks pay more attention to letters from guys than females. Fact of life - just run with it.
7) Use the concrete examples of other canceled shows. For instance, Star Trek - NBC/Paramount stuck with it and look at the results in that fandom. Concrete examples are easier to relate to than "I love 'Action.' Please air it."
8) Personalize the letters as much as possible. Tailor them to the network or media outlet you're targeting. Again, thank a network that saved a show from extinction, like Showtime for "Lateline."
9) Don't mention any campaigns. Write as an individual, avoid ties to lists or campaigns. Otherwise, your letter will be ignored.
10) Don't write "The Sentinel" on the envelope. The letter might get forwarded to the "The Sentinel" production offices instead of the executive the it's intended for. Also, do NOT use the return address labels with "Sentinel/Richard Burgi/Garett Maggart/Bruce A. Young" on them. They are wonderful fun and creative, but chances are that TPTB will see them and know what your letter is about. It's a little thing, but that can make a difference.